Owner of new Ridgefield theater commits to hiring disabled

Updated 4:33 pm, Thursday, September 4, 2014

Mike Santini of Ridgefield, Conn., the director of developement for the The Prospector Theatre, speaks in one of the four theatres in the movie house. The Prospector Theatre is a new "first run" movie theatre opening soon in Ridgefield, Conn. Photo taken Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2014.

Mike Santini of Ridgefield, Conn., the director of developement for the The Prospector Theatre, speaks in one of the four theatres in the movie house. The Prospector Theatre is a new "first run" movie theatre

Artwork hangs in the lobby areas of the Prospector Theatre in Ridgefield, Conn. The Prospector Theatre is a new "first run" movie theatre opening soon in Ridgefield, Conn.
Photo taken Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2014.

Artwork hangs in the lobby areas of the Prospector Theatre in Ridgefield, Conn. The Prospector Theatre is a new "first run" movie theatre opening soon in Ridgefield, Conn.
Photo taken Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2014.

Much like theater patrons who saw color on screen for the first time, the founders of the Prospector Theater in Ridgefield are hoping their customers will have an eye opening experience.

And while the bright pink grand piano in the lobby and pennies pasted to the ceiling are enough to catch anyone's eye, it's the employees that the operators of the new theater hope draw some of the attention.

Valarie Jensen, founder of the nonprofit theater, said she wanted not only to build Ridgefield's first movie theater in decades, she also wanted to provide a job and training opportunities for adults with developmental disabilities. She said they expect to have about 50 employees on staff when the theater is fully up and running.

"One of the biggest problems today facing those with disabilities is a lack of meaningful employment," said Jensen. "The theater is not only a place where people with disabilities can thrive, but it can also serve as a model to show others the resources people with disabilities can be to their own organizations."

Hannah Fischer, the marketing manager for the theater, said employees of the theater will be doing a lot more than putting butter on your popcorn, they will also be involved with management duties, film production efforts as well as culinary experiences in the theater's Step Up Restaurant.

The theater was built from the ground up with approximately $30 million in funding that was privately raised for the effort. Besides the three main theaters, the building also includes a variety of art installations, a restaurant, a coffee bar and a smaller theater with 16 seats available for private showings.

Visitors can pick up dinner in the restaurant, a cup of beer and enjoy their meal while watching the latest movie releases.

"We'll be changing the menu items so they'll fit the theme of what's currently in the theater," said Michael Santini, the theater's development director. "Besides having constantly fresh offerings for the customers, it also provides new opportunities to the kitchen staff to try new creations."

The theater is located next to the Ridgefield Public Library in a building that first housed the Ridgefield Playhouse when it was constructed in 1938. Most recently the building had been used as a bank, but sat vacant for the past decade.

While much of the building was demolished to make way for the new theater, the original facade facing Prospect Street was left standing. Workers were putting the finishing touches on the building this week.